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Sheshatshiu, Newfoundland and Labrador - February 10, 2014 – Today, Innu Nation Grand Chief Prote Poker spoke out about their organizations’ position on the October 2013review ordered by the Board of Directors of the of Innu Development Limited Partnership (IDLP) into payments made to former executives of that organization and the related ongoing RCMP investigation. “We are obviously disturbed by what we are hearing in the media and like all of our members, we are anxious to get to the bottom of these issues,” stated Mr. Poker.

The IDLP exists to serve the economic interests of the Mushuau and Sheshatshiu Innu. Its Board of Directors is duly appointed by the elected Band Councils of the Innu communities of Sheshatshiu and Natuashish. While the Innu Nation Executive is also elected by the people of these same communities, the Innu Nation has no involvement in appointments to the Board of Directors of IDLP or in its day-to-day operations. We have no legal right to officially release the findings of Mr. Noseworthy’s report or the results of the RCMP investigation. These responsibilities and the right to take any subsequent action, rests with the IDLP and the elected Band Councils of the individual Innu communities.

“The Innu Nation is pleased with the transparency shown by the IDLP Board of Directors in having an independent review conducted and with their decision to engage the RCMP to look further into Mr. Noseworthy’s findings. These are positive steps that indicate to us that the IDLP Board is taking measures to better protect the interests of our people and we applaud them for this. Like everyone, we await the outcome of the RCMP investigation, however the Innu Nation does not feel it is productive to speculate on these findings,” stated Prote Poker, Grand Chief of the Innu Nation.

“The divisiveness and mistrust in communities resulting from this investigation is unfortunate and of great concern to the Innu Nation leadership. We want to reassure our people of our commitment to be open and transparent in the decisions we make on behalf of the Innu people. The Innu Nation leadership is committed to building strong, united communities where everyone benefits,” said Mr. Poker.

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For further information please contact:

Mike Rossignol, Communications

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